Weather in the general media (Newspaper features etc)

[Summer Sun]

SNOW AND RAIN TO SWEEP IN BUT STILL DROUGHT GETS WORSE

BRITAIN faces a week of weather chaos with some areas braced for six inches of snow while ­others face flash floods. Our topsy-turvy weather comes as the Environment Agency warned yesterday that the country faces its severest water shortage since 1976. Experts say the drought crisis is getting worse with half of England now facing water restrictions. Yesterday forecasters warned of snow for today in Scotland and northern England where Arctic winds are expected to roar in from Scandinavia. And they say heavy downpours in other areas could persist for weeks, bringing the risk of flash floods to millions of householders. Jim Dale, meteorologist at ­British Weather Services, said: “We are looking at spells of persistent rain, some of it will be very heavy in places, elsewhere there will be showers.“There is a definite risk of flooding this week, becoming more pronounced as the week moves on, there is always going to be a risk of flooding in this situation.This is due to cold seas and warm land which brings the risk of some potentially big downpours.â€

After a mild winter, northern regions are now on alert for a white-out with “accumulations of significant snowfallâ€.The mercury will plunge to -7C (19F) with wintry showers as far south as the Midlands and 60mph gales across the country. Around 3.5 inches of rain, the monthly average for April, is expected to fall before the end of the month, although it will do ­little to ease the drought crisis. Instead, experts say rain will run off bone-dry ground in torrents, leading to flash floods, rather than soak into depleted underground water sources. Craig Woolhouse, the Environment Agency’s head of flood management, warned that people should not to “ignore the risk†of floods and should be prepared

It comes as South-west England and the Midlands are now officially in drought with almost 40 million people hit by water restrictions. The drought zone already includes parts of Yorkshire, the South and the South-east. Yesterday, the River Kennet in Wiltshire had dried up as the county was officially declared a drought zone. Forecaster James Madden, of Exacta Weather, said yesterday: “As we progress throughout the latter part of this week and into the early part of next week, the weather is set to remain unsettled and cold. “The weather will also turn increasingly wintry at times, ­especially across parts of Scotland and northern England. “Some further accumulations of significant snowfall are probable across higher ground in these parts, with the possibility of some more widely dispersed sleet and snow showers to much lower ­levels of the country too.†The Environment Agency has warned the drought crisis could continue until after Christmas despite the forecast downpours.

http://www.express.c...ught-gets-worse

Water firm sends 'drought speakers' into schools to tell children how to save water, as Britain suffers worst drought since 1976

British schoolchildren are being taught how to save water by 'drought speakers' as the country suffers its worst water shortage since 1976. With more than half of Britain now suffering a drought, Thames Water have enlisted volunteers to go into secondary schools to educate children on saving water. Youngsters as young as four are being told to turn off the tap while they brush their teeth and spend less time in the shower, according to the Daily Telegraph. The water authority also hope children will encourage their parents to mend dripping taps, as well as compare water economy with their friends through Facebook. The 30-minute service provided by Thames Water is similar to initiatives launched in the U.S. and Australia, where drought is more common. Presentations to schoolchildren also use various multi-media tools to inspire behaviour changes, such as putting tissues in the bin rather than flushing them down the toilet.

The current water shortage is affecting 35million Britons as a 'drought zone' has engulfed England. Another 17 counties in the South West and the Midlands will be officially designated as 'water-stressed' in the worst water shortage for 36 years. Although the hosepipe ban currently in force for 20million people has not yet been extended, contingency plans are being drawn up as the Environment Agency confirmed the drought is likely to last until Christmas. Officials are concerned that a third dry winter this year could be a tipping point and trigger restrictions for businesses or even further restrictions in homes for the first time in 36 years. The restrictions are embarrassing for the Government which is showcasing Britain during this year's Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee. Parks are included in the hosepipe ban and London’s iconic fountains will be turned off. The River Severn - Britain’s longest river - may completely dry up in places by the summer, with disastrous consequences for plants, wildlife and fish stocks.

The Met Office has said that although continued rain will make this April one of the wettest on record, plants sucking up most of the water means it will have little effect on the drought.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1sItrmImf

[Summer Sun]

RAIN, HAIL AND GALES TO LASH BRITAIN

BRITAIN is set to be hit by bitter cold winds and thundery downpours. Weather warnings have been issued for much of the south of the country, with hail storms and heavy bands of rain expected, putting a firm end to any hopes of an early heat wave. The Met Office has issued a severe warnings for Wales, the midlands, London and the south west and east of England and have said that many areas will be liable to flooding. A Met Office spokesman said: "Bands of heavy showers will affect parts of southern England, the Midlands and southeast Wales today. "During this afternoon in particular some heavy slow-moving downpours are likely, accompanied locally by hail and thunder. "The public should be aware that localised surface water flooding may occur, leading to difficult driving conditions.

The Met Office also warned that driving conditions would be hazardous as hail storms batter the country. The bad weather is expected to continue throughout the weekend with heavy rain and temperatures expected to plummet across the board. Some areas will experience a month's rainfall in just a week. Leon Brown, forecaster for The Weather Channel explained: "We expect much of Wales western and northern England to collect the month average in the next week (40 to 60mm) and east Anglia to receive around 50 per cent of the month average so 20 to 30mm.

All good news for the drought but we really need 2 or 3 months with double the average. A lot of the precipitation in these heavy downpours also flows off and to rivers and does not replenish ground water. Plants are now growing rapidly too so soak it up quickly. "Steady and lighter rain over a long period is best since it manages to soak the ground and reach the subsurface. He warned that the wet conditions could continue till early May, he added: "We expect low pressure dominate the weather over the UK until early May so more rain and showers to come through next week too." Just a few weeks ago, Britain was basking in the sunshine experiencing temperatures of near 20C and drought warnings were issued for much of the country. Experts say rain will run off bone-dry ground in torrents, leading to flash floods, rather than soak into depleted underground water sources. Craig Woolhouse, the Environment Agency’s head of flood management, warned that people should not to “ignore the risk†of floods and should be prepared.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/315199/Rain-hail-and-gales-to-lash-Britain

[Summer Sun]

For anyone running or watching the London Marathon this Sunday the Met Office have a forecast here

http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/infographic-london-marathon-weather/

[Polar Maritime]

COLDEST MAY FOR 100 YEARS: SPRING WILL RETREAT AS WINTER ROARS BACK

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/315293/Coldest-May-for-100-years-Spring-will-retreat-as-winter-roars-back

[Weather-history]

COLDEST MAY FOR 100 YEARS: SPRING WILL RETREAT AS WINTER ROARS BACK

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/315293/Coldest-May-for-100-years-Spring-will-retreat-as-winter-roars-back

Oh boy.....

There is some twaddle there. That comment about balancing in that report and the current spell could lead a hot summer, the question is what is balancing what out? How do we know the current cycloncity of this April is not balancing out the anticyclonicity of March? ergo there is nothing to balance out come summer. I could argue that this summer will be wet to balance out the rain deficits of the last few months.

Edited April 19, 2012 by Mr_Data

[Weather Boy]

Oh boy.....

There is some twaddle there. That comment about balancing in that report and the current spell could lead a hot summer, the question is what is balancing what out? How do we know the current cycloncity of this April is not balancing out the anticyclonicity of March? ergo there is nothing to balance out come summer. I could argue that this summer will be wet to balance out the rain deficits of the last few months.

Agreed. Also, see (my emphasis): "It is certainly going to be a very cold month in the East..."

Certainly??? How it can be by any stetch "certain"? It's not certain what the weather is going to be like tomorrow, let alone for the whole of next month!

I think some of the Express's repeated front-page weather headlines are bizarre. They have no shame whatsoever when none of them actually happen and I think that there is rather more in the world to report than to speculate on the possibility of some weather type for the coming weeks or months, relying on a science that remains in its infancy.

[Summer Sun]

COLDEST MAY FOR 100 YEARS: SPRING WILL RETREAT AS WINTER ROARS BACK

http://www.express.c...nter-roars-back

If its not James Madden they quote with this rubbish its Piers Corbyn,

Netweather's outlook for May however is not cold.............

May

May is currently expected to see high pressure often centred out to the west of the UK, with further higher than average pressure to the east of the country too, leaving the British Isles themselves in between the two. Another warmer than average month is forecast to be the outcome of this pressure pattern with rainfall widely close to average albeit with some locations potentially significantly wetter.

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=longrange;sess=

[Peter H]

I think some of the Express's repeated front-page weather headlines are bizarre. They have no shame whatsoever when none of them actually happen and I think that there is rather more in the world to report than to speculate on the possibility of some weather type for the coming weeks or months, relying on a science that remains in its infancy

They don't give up easily weather boy, do they ?

.

[Summer Sun]

After awful April comes miserable May as next month is predicted to be coldest for 100 YEARS... but it could be a sizzling summer

Britain is facing the coldest May for 100 years after experts predicted the miserable weather from this month would continue into next. The cool spring is set to remain chilly with snow expected in some areas and low temperatures and bitter winds causing Britons to shiver elsewhere. Temperatures could struggle to get above 5C in the East – the area which is expected to be hit worst by a lingering system of cold air.

That is much cooler than the average May daytime high of about 15C across the UK. Piers Corbyn, of independent forecaster WeatherAction, warned that next month will be the ‘coldest of near coldest for 100 years with a record run of bitter Northerly winds’ He said: ‘The very cold expectations apply to East parts and near – Europe rather than Ireland and West Britain.’ He added that the last time in living memory that May had been as cold as the one predicted was in 1981. The last time May was particularly cold was in 1996. Mr Corbyn explained that the reason for the chill was that the jet stream – fast currents of cold air from the North Pole – would stick over the east of the country.

The grim forecast comes after a miserable month - dubbed awful April – that has seen below-average temperatures, snow and torrential rain. But forecasters believe that while the poor weather is likely to continue next month, we may be able to look forward to a sizzling summer. Jim Dale, a meteorologist at British Weather Services, told the Daily Express: ‘It’s likely that the first week of May will be poor. ‘If this weather continues into May, though, it could mean we are in for a good summer. It is all a balancing act.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1sUWOWdW7

[Coast]

Dedicated thread now to discuss the possibilities for May

http://forum.netweather.tv/topic/73066-coldest-may-for-100-years-is-on-its-way/

[UV-RAY]

If its not James Madden they quote with this rubbish its Piers Corbyn,

Netweather's outlook for May however is not cold.............

May

May is currently expected to see high pressure often centred out to the west of the UK, with further higher than average pressure to the east of the country too, leaving the British Isles themselves in between the two. Another warmer than average month is forecast to be the outcome of this pressure pattern with rainfall widely close to average albeit with some locations potentially significantly wetter.

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=longrange;sess=

Let's hope it doesn't go the way of the pear like last summers forecast. Sorry GP, just a bit of gallows humour.

[rob48]

Let's hope it doesn't go the way of the pear like last summers forecast. Sorry GP, just a bit of gallows humour.

LOL

Exactly what I was thinking, especially as Gavin was its loudest cheerleader!

[syed2878]

Umm didn't netweather forecast a verry cold feb?

[Summer Sun]

NOW WARNING OF FLASH FLOODING

BRITAIN was on flood alert last night as a week of torrential rain sweeps the country. More heavy downpours today and tomorrow could lead to flash flooding in parts, say forecasters.

Continued rain next week could last until the end of the month. The flood warning comes as Britain continues to suffer one of the worst droughts for decades. It also follows a topsy-turvy spell with soaring temperatures last month then heavy showers in some areas while others – including County Durham – were yesterday covered in snow. May could be the coldest for 100 years according to independent forecaster WeatherAction.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for rain in East Anglia with further warnings for flooding in Scotland today and tomorrow. It said flooding could cause difficult driving conditions.

Forecaster Charlie Powell said rain would spread across East Anglia, the South-west, Wiltshire and Somerset – with more than an inch likely in Scotland. Heavy downpours were probable mainly across southern Britain next week. “That could be the picture for the rest of the month. We could be looking at some interesting figures,†he added. The Met Office warned London Marathon spectators on Sunday to “bring an umbrellaâ€. The Environment Agency yesterday issued a red flood warning for parts of Yorkshire and three yellow flood alerts for the North-east and the Midlands.

But the rain will not end the worst drought since 1976 because it is running off bone dry land.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/315476/Now-warning-of-flash-flooding

[Polar Maritime]

Is it realy the worst drought since 76..?

[Summer Sun]

NOW WE FACE A MONTH OF RAIN...BUT THERE IS STILL NO END TO THE HOSEPIPE BAN

BRITAIN is to be deluged by rain for at least a month despite warnings of no let-up in the drought crisis. Flooding alerts were extended across the country yesterday after forecasts of more torrential weather over the weekend and next week. Vital water reserves are still seriously depleted and hosepipe bans affecting millions of households are expected to last until 2013 with £1,000 fines for people who flout the restrictions. A week of heavy rain and thunderstorms has already brought parts of Britain to a standstill as the country endures the wettest April for more than a decade. Forecasters expect the soggy conditions since the start of the month to continue, possibly into May. In York, the River Ouse burst its banks yesterday after days of heavy rain forcing commuters in the city centre to wade through water to get to work. The Met Office last night issued severe weather warnings for Scotland for heavy downpours and even the chance of snow on higher ground over the weekend.

The Environment Agency gave four flood alerts for the Midlands and the North-east with a more serious flood warning for parts of the North. Forecaster Sarah Holland said: “It is going to remain unsettled for the next couple of days, through the weekend.†Former BBC forecaster Michael Fish said: “Friday saw heavy and torrential showers, hail, thunder and cool temperatures, with wintry showers possible on hills – and it’s the same again through the weekend and into next week. Looking beyond next week, I’ve a horrible feeling it’ll be the same forecast.†England and Wales were hit by 1.9in (48mm) of rain in the first 17 days of April, 77 per cent the monthly average. It puts this month on course as the dampest since the millennium year which saw 5.2in of rain, which must make it the wettest drought we have ever had. Heavy rain over the coming months will not end the crisis however, as experts warn water is running off dry land and evaporating rather than being soaked up into reservoirs. The Environment Agency said despite downpours groundwater stores show no sign of replenishing. National drought coordinator Polly Chancellor said: “The soil is so dry that only steady rain over the winter will restore rivers and groundwaters, so we would urge everyone – right across the country – to help by using less water. “We’re working with businesses, farmers and water companies to plan ahead to meet the challenges of a continued drought.â€

http://www.express.c...he-hosepipe-ban

[Summer Sun]

Heavy floods and torrential downpours yet we're still in the middle of a drought, says the Environment Agency

This week’s heavy rain has not put an end to the drought gripping swathes of the country, the Environment Agency said today. While the April showers across England and Wales will have been welcomed by farmers and gardeners, who were hit with a hosepipe ban earlier this month, the rain has to make the soil fully wet before it can start to recharge supplies. The worst of the drought has been centred in the south of the country - but further north, residents in York faced a wet walk to work as the River Ouse burst its banks this morning.

In the capital, meanwhile, stormy conditions last night caused chaos after a rush hour lightning strike saw many trains cancelled. Services in and out of Victoria station were the worst affected after the strike at south Wandsworth, near the central London transport hub, caused a fire that badly damaged a substation, leading to a power failure and serious signalling problems.

Even still, groundwater levels are similar to what they were last week, and many river levels remain below normal. There are reports the River Wylye in Wiltshire and a brook at Pixley, in Herefordshire, are drying up. In its latest update on the drought, the Environment Agency said rainfall was only likely to replenish groundwater supplies if there were large amounts of steady rain in the next month or two - the chances of which were 'very slim'.

As the UK moves into summer, most rainfall is taken up by growing plants. More areas slid into drought this week, with 17 counties in the Midlands and South West now officially in a state of drought, and the Environment Agency warned the situation could last until Christmas or beyond.

http://www.dailymail...ent-Agency.html

Washout weekend but still a drought

DOWNPOURS will hit tomorrow’s London Marathon and St George’s Day on Monday as the washout continues — but it has had NO impact on the drought. Lightning, rain and hail hit again yesterday as Britain endures its wettest April in 12 years. Forecasters warned of more for the weekend, next week and early May. But the Environment Agency said the drought — the worst since 1921 — is so severe that levels of groundwater, the main source of drinking supplies in the south and east, have not improved. Trees and plants have sucked up much of the water, with the rest lost to evaporation or run-off.

Ex-BBC forecaster Michael Fish said: “There will be unpleasant weather for the London Marathon. Beyond next week, I’ve a horrible feeling it’ll be the same.†The EA’s drought co-ordinator Polly Chancellor said: “Only steady rain over winter will restore rivers and groundwater. The drought could last until Christmas.†Meanwhile sales of water butts are up 1,200 per cent on last year at Tesco as Brits look to collect rainwater.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4270107/Washout-weekend-but-still-a-drought.html

[Summer Sun]

WeatherOnline's outlook for the first 2 months of summer

Fair start to June

Good end to July

Issued: Saturday 21st April 2012

Duty forecasters: Simon Keeling & Captain Bob

*June*

The meteorological first month of summer, should see high pressure in control and some semblance of summery weather for all areas, these very warm and settled conditions should extend through the first week to ten days of the month. High pressure atop the UK at first should slowly drift westward with a cooler and showery regime then establishing into the middle of month, a noticeable temperature drop for all areas as a northerly flow develops.

The middle of the month sees a more westerly orientated flow then establishing, low pressure potentially ramping up the breeze, rain and windier weather affecting all areas and feeling much cooler beneath the cloud and rainier spots. This unsettled weather looks as if it'll be continuing through the remainder of June, only at the close of the month does it potentially settle once more, temperatures recovering as pressure builds in from the west, southern and eastern areas seeing the best of the conditions.

*July*

High pressure remains tantalisingly close to the UK, but just too far to the west to settle the weather into what one would normally expect for high summer. Cool with a breeze from the north or northwest, showers mainly for all areas but some indication of destabilisation at times into rather more organised showery bands. The west seeing fewer showers closest to high pressure established to the west. Through to the middle of the month sees a reversal of fortunes with high pressure building across the UK and then to the settling to the east, a much warmer regime establishing across the bulk of the country as a southerly flow develops for a time.

Then unfortunately it's all downhill low pressure to the west encroaching eastward, showers breaking out widely then more organised rain as the Atlantic influence kicks in once more. Showers or longer spells of rain for all for a time through to the final week of July when the pattern attempts to redeem itself but I have my doubts whether it'll really make it, 'indifferent' would be the best term?

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/reports?LANG=en&MENU=206&FILE=sea&DAY=20120421

[Summer Sun]

BBC Weather's Sarah Keith-Lucas takes a look at this week's weather across the UK.

The headline for this weeks weather is Further showers, Some Sunshine

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/17804691

[Summer Sun]

Weather services International issue there summer forecast, its going to be warm and drier in the UK compared to the past 4 years!

Weather Services International: Warmth Focused in Western and Northern Europe This Summer

Emerging El Nino, Lack of Atmospheric Blocking and Cooler North Atlantic Should Result in Much Different Pattern Relative to 2008-11 Summers

Andover, MA, April 23, 2012 — WSI (Weather Services International) expects temperatures for the upcoming period (May-July) to average higher than normal across all of Europe, with the exception of parts of the Southeast.

“While April has been a relatively cool month across much of Europe, we expect more widespread, above-normal temperatures to develop in May, especially across eastern and northern sections,†said WSI Chief Meteorologist Dr. Todd Crawford. “As we head into the summer period, we expect a distinctly different pattern than what we’ve observed over the last four years, when very warm summer temperatures were focused over southern/eastern sections of Europe with near-normal temperatures in Western Europe. The combination of an emerging El Nino event, an expected lack of North Atlantic blocking and relatively cool North Atlantic ocean temperatures should result in a reversal of recent summer patterns. Specifically, the combination of these factors should result in greater chances for summer heat in western and northern sections, rather than southern and eastern sections. Further, relative to recent years, we expect a drier summer in the UK and Nordic regions and wetter weather suppressed farther to the south. Finally, our forecast also supports less wind across Germany/Denmark and more wind in Spain than we’ve had the last four summers.â€

In May, WSI forecasts:

Nordic Region* – Warmer than normal

UK* – Warmer than normal

Northern Mainland* – Warmer than normal

Southern Mainland* – Warmer than normal

In June, WSI forecasts:

Nordic Region – Warmer than normal

UK – Warmer than normal

Northern Mainland – Warmer than normal

Southern Mainland – Warmer than normal, except Southeast

In July, WSI forecasts:

Nordic Region – Warmer than normal

UK – Warmer than normal

Northern Mainland – Warmer than normal, except parts of Northeast

Southern Mainland – Warmer than normal, except parts of Southeast

WSI, providing customized weather information to energy traders, will issue its next seasonal outlook, including the final official summer forecast, on 21 May.

*To view the map defining WSI’s European regions, click here.

We can only hope this is correct a decent summer is well over due now.

[Scorcher]

Wow I will be delighted if this comes off, fingers crossed, I think we deserve a warm summer after suffering through the last few!

[Eugene]

Hopefully more rain this summer to replenish low reservoirs, a repeat of last years drought conditions will do us no good at all, last summer was very dry in the midlands.

[Summer Sun]

Snow and extreme heat bookend the US

A spring Nor'easter has brought heavy snow and power cuts to thousands in the northeast of the United States.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the country, spring has turned to mid-summer with temperatures in excess of 38C (100F).

BBC Weather's Philip Avery explains.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/17818107

[Summer Sun]

SIZZLING BARBECUE SUMMER TO SCORCH AWAY MISERABLE MAY

AS you struggle through the April downpours and wrap up ready for a chilly May, there’s a ray of hope on the horizon ... a ray of sunshine, in fact. For Britain is set to bask in months of glorious sunshine this summer with temperatures soaring from the start of June, experts said last night. We could even be in for a repeat of the baking heat of 2003, the hottest summer for 500 years, when the mercury hit 101.3F (38.5C). And the heat­wave could herald a run of barbecue summers. It’s all down to a weather pattern called the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) which has been in a negative phase for four years, pushing cool air across the UK.

Now, thanks to a dramatic shift in the system, warm air is set to flood in. “As we head into the summer period, we expect a distinctly different pattern to what we’ve observed over the last four years,†said Dr Todd Crawford of Weather Services International. “Since the factors that drove the negative NAO during the last four summers are no longer in place, we expect a much warmer drier summer in the UK this year, more similar to the summers observed during the 2002-06 period.â€

Jim Dale, of British Weather Services, agreed a shift in long-term weather patterns indicated a scorching summer ahead.He said Britain was likely to enjoy months of above-average temperatures with the possibility of “heatwave conditionsâ€. Mr Dale added: “I would say we are looking at a good summer. We are almost certainly going to get going in June and we won’t see the end until August.†He warned: “We have to get through the grief of April and it will continue chan­geable until the end of May. “But we believe the coin will flip with a strong possibility of a very decent summer, with some very hot spells.†April’s wet and soggy theme looks likely to continue, with another week of torrential downpours wrecking the chances of enjoying spring flowers and Britain’s blooming bluebell woods.

Some areas could see double the average rainfall this week, with gales posing a risk of flooding along the coasts. Leon Brown, of The Weath­er Channel, said tomorrow would be the wettest day out of the next seven with nearly an inch of rain. The rain will bring little relief to the drought that threatens Britain with the worst water shortages since 1976. The rain will run off bone-dry ground rather than soaking into underground water sources.

http://www.express.c...y-miserable-May

[Bottesford]

I do hope so but I don't think so...